Australian eyewear distributor ProOptics is marking a significant milestone this year as it celebrates 15 years in business.
Founded in 2009 by industry veterans Jacque Katsieris and Raymond Kessler, the company has grown from humble beginnings to become a respected – and much-loved – player in the optical industry.
The journey began in an unlikely location – the bedroom of Ms Katsieris’s now 15-year-old son. “We used to sit there and wait for the phone to ring,” Ms Katsieris recalled. “Now we’re still small, but we like to punch above our weight.”
Growth has not come without challenges. Mr Kessler remembers the early days vividly: “The first two years, I think we were in shock mode. It was very, very hard. We started from scratch. We didn’t have a single customer.”
Despite the initial hurdles, failure was never an option for the determined duo. “At no stage did I ever think that we wouldn’t last,” Ms Katsieris said. Mr Kessler added, “We didn’t have a choice. It had to work. There was no plan C.”
Passion, Quality, and Personal Service
ProOptics has built its reputation on a foundation of passion, quality, and personal service. Ms Katsieris explained their approach: “We came from businesses that had thousands of customers, and when we started ProOptics, we wanted it to be more personal, so we know all of our customers.”
They attribute the company’s success to its “focus on eyewear brands and designers rather than just logos”.
“It’s really important for us to get that mix and make sure that we can relate the story of the brand to our customers,” Ms Katsieris explained. ProOptics has also cultivated a strong team culture. “The more ownership someone gets over their job and their position, the more they’re going to love it, and think about it, and want it to do really well,” Ms Katsieris said. Reflecting on their journey to date, both Ms Katsieris and Mr Kessler expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received from the industry, including publications like mivision. From their first optical trade show stand in 2009 – constructed with “$100 at IKEA” – to international buying trips and building relationships with major design houses and optometry practices, ProOptics has come a long way in 15 years.
